Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jesselynn Stegall. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jesselynn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

When I first moved to Los Angeles, the goal was to complete my graduate program at film school and dive straight into the world of acting. My mom was my manager in regard to making sure my marketing materials and everything I needed was up to par. We had a strategic plan. A few months after graduation, I had my first audition for my first independent feature film in Los Angeles. After I got the part, I received news that my mom had been spontaneously diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Let’s just say that was the start of my breakdown. During school, I was very proactive and persistent in auditioning, attending acting classes outside of school, searching for agents, going to events…just networking my butt off. Doors were beginning to open very swiftly and when I say swiftly, it was to the point I couldn’t even believe it. I was really working hard to accomplish my goals…seriously. When my mom became ill, it was like I was in a race and I wanted her to see the things I was doing. She passed away and we started filming 2 weeks after her funeral. The weird thing about it is, I thought she was going to survive it because she was still active and working. Things literally changed overnight. I honestly didn’t know how to move forward and I kept myself so busy in filming that I didn’t have time to grieve. I refused to grieve because I was in denial. It hit me during covid when I was forced to slow down. I had 2 roles that I was cast for and 1 green-light meeting with a major network. These doors opened due to my roll from the feature film. When covid hit, everything went away. It was like I had to start over and in the midst of stillness, I began to grieve and it has been a continued journey since.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Jesselynn Stegall. I was born and raised in Jackson, MS. My father is a pastor and my mother was an event coordinator and an executive director for the Mayors in Mississippi. I went to THEE Jackson State University and was a member of the Thrill of a Billion Eyes..better known as The Prancing J-settes. I was also a member of MADDRAMA (Scene 88). I also received my Master’s of Fine Arts in Acting for Film and Producing at New York Film Academy in Burbank, CA. I began acting when I was very young (you know how your parents make you do church plays and easter speeches, sing in the choir, lol. My parents had me in everything). I didn’t realize my love for acting until I was in 5th grade. I went to Power Apac Performing Arts School in Jackson. I was a vocal music major at the time and I was chosen as one of the students to be in a commercial with Morgan Freeman (I have yet to see the commercial, lol). I didn’t really understand what I was doing, but I later found out it was acting (extra work). I just knew I enjoyed it and I asked my parents could I audition for the theatre major program. They allowed me to and I got accepted. I have been acting ever since. I chose to move to Los Angeles a few years after undergrad because I felt there was no opportunity in Jackson and I wanted more. I wanted to see the world and see what else was out there (plus I was getting in trouble and losing focus).
I am most proud of not giving up even during the toughest times. My mother and I made a pinky promise when she was sick and I am committed to keeping my word because she kept hers. I’m proud of myself also because I’m doing all of this while I’m taking care of my daughter and giving her a life that I didn’t have and helping my daughter live out her dreams in becoming a gymnast. It’s tough (that’s an understatement), but the reward is so worth it (maybe). I am also proud that I can give back my talents by mentoring and teaching younger artist who have limited resources the art of living truthfully under imaginary circumstances. Lord knows they are curious and sometimes it gets overwhelming, but God knew I could handle this, so I am thankful.

I want people to know the beauty in your accomplishments comes from the story, so focus on the development of that. Don’t ignore the journey because everything that happens in your life is suppose to. I’ve gone through so much and still currently am and sometimes it has felt as if God was beating me up. I’ve questioned God, I’ve been angry with God, but I’m learning now and beginning to see the bigger picture. I had to remember at the end of the day I prayed for things not truly understanding what I was really praying for. I asked for strength, my mom passed. I asked for wisdom,God started revealing things to see how I would handle it. I asked for success and God started giving me a story to tell. It’s still in the works because my journey isn’t over, but Ive learned to embrace it all and understand that this is deeper than me. My story is for someone else. I am just the messenger. He knew that only certain soldiers could endure certain things and for that I am thankful that He chose and believed in me to handle these tribulations.

“Do what you love, love what you do and if you don’t love it, don’t do it.” ~Jesselynn Stegall

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I would have to say it’s so rewarding to be an artist because I am free to be. I’m unapologetically just able to be. Whatever that is in that moment, I am able to be that, without judgement. True vulnerability. I am able to express and release my emotions that creates an overall beautiful outcome, and for me to see what my expressions can create just by being free is so rejuvenating. It’s like a big release. I learn from myself all of the time because sometimes, I don’t know where my emotions will take me (in regard to the art of storytelling), but I never stop myself. I always give myself the freedom to allow myself to express (to get it out). The freedom is so peaceful and therapeutic. I love storytelling. Everything is right, even when it’s wrong (yes, and… lol). There is beauty in imagination and to be able to bring that to life is true art. Everyone doesn’t get it, and that’s ok.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

That has happened a few times, lol. I have had to work a few different jobs to make ends meet. Before moving to Los Angeles, I ended up teaching 10th grade biology. I wasn’t working and I had to help my parents out, plus I had a 3 year old at the time. My undergraduate degree is in biology (pre-medicine) and Jackson Public School District needed teachers asap at the time. I did this alternate route program and my professor (now mentor) helped me get hired and I started teaching. I was very frustrated because I ultimately felt it would take away time that I could be spending to audition and film, and I never envisioned myself teaching. I was young and still had a young mentality, so having to be responsible for kids was not something I wanted to do, but I had to do what I had to do for my family. I created a plan while I was teaching that year and when it was time to renew my intent to work for the next year, I checked the decline box and it was no looking back.

Fast forwarding to now, I recently have had to step back into the teaching world. It’s a slight pivot, but its somewhat not. I started working with acting students. I say its a pivot because I am not per se in front of a camera right now, but I am however still teaching, directing plays and producing productions with students. This wasn’t really the plan either, but I will say it has been teaching me a few things and preparing me for future business endeavors/journeys that I have planned for my career in theatre and film.

I’ve realized that it all will make sense at the end and I just embrace it all.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: jesselynnj